I am really starting to consider pitching sidearm lately. Im not really sure why but its driving me nuts. With all of the guys getting career ending surgies because of shoulder and elbow injuries im kinda spooked to do it.
Now the biggest reason is beacuse i can throw a distgusting sinker that tails and a slider that can move. my fastball doesnt really change much so im not sure what to do.
After i pitch i rarely need to ice my arm and even when i do throw from the side it rarely hurts.
im right in the middle of the decision and im really not sure which way to go. any advice will be appreciated.
Show me a guy whos afraid to look bad, and I'll show you a guy you can beat every time. -Lou Brock
Posts: 37 | Location: Ottawa | Registered: July 19, 2006
It should NEVER hurt. In fact, if your arm is properly conditioned, it should rarely be sore. Side-arm action can result in good movement but changing your release point at your age (2007 grad?) is dicey. Why? If you have a decent high 3/4's arm slot you will throw more strikes.
"Thanks for the memories"-- The Carol Burnett Show
Posts: 1913 | Location: Las Vegas | Registered: July 11, 2005
-------------------------------------------------- I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation
To get movement on your fastball, experiment with grips and stuff. Now I throw from a 3/4 arm slot, and that helps, but I always have. Side arm is tough on the arm. Submarine isn't as bad... even thugh it hurts me to watch it. Not because it's bad, just hard to do.
Posts: 1385 | Location: Dallas | Registered: May 06, 2006
You can throw more than one pitch, and to more than one location, from different arm slots.
ck07, you can use different arm slots. It does give you more variety with which to keep the batter off balance. However, it obviously requires much more work to maintain command in two arm slots as compared to one.
As long as you don't supinate, which many (most?) pitchers tend to do when throwing sidearm, there is no added stress from throwing sidearm.
Think through this carefully, weighing the pros and cons.
"Show me a guy who won't pitch inside and I'll show you a loser" Sandy Koufax
Posts: 4133 | Location: Texas, USA | Registered: June 02, 2003
Originally posted by canadiankid07: I am really starting to consider pitching sidearm lately. <snip> Now the biggest reason is beacuse i can throw a distgusting sinker that tails and a slider that can move. my fastball doesnt really change much so im not sure what to do.
You may be interested in Chad Bradford's story and his transition from over-the-top, to side-arm, to MLB submariner.
Bradford is now with the Orioles earning $3M+ a year. He is known for having scraped his knuckles on the ground while pitching. He was a kid that loved baseball but had little talent until he dropped his arm slot. It still was a long time before many people took notice.
-------------------------------------------------- I never threw an illegal pitch. The trouble is, once in a while I toss one that ain't never been seen by this generation
